Mike Stark: "I will be pressing charges against George Allen and his surrogates"

[Human Torch]

Letter from Mike Stark

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Oct 31, 2006

http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?c=MGArticle&cid=1149191441070&pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle

The following is a letter to NBC29 from Mike Stark, the man who was tackled for a comment he made at Senator Allen's campaign stop in Charlottesville on Tuesday.

My name is Mike Stark. I am a law student at the University of Virginia, a marine, and a citizen journalist. Earlier today at a public event, I was attempting to ask Senator Allen a question about his sealed divorce record and his arrest in the 1970s, both of which are in the public domain. His people assaulted me, put me in a headlock, and wrestled me to the ground. Video footage is available here, from an NBC affiliate.

I demand that Senator Allen fire the staffers who beat up a constituent attempting to use his constitutional right to petition his government. I also want to know why Senator Allen would want his staffers to assault someone asking questions about matters of public record in the heat of a political campaign. Why are his divorce records sealed? Why was he arrested in the 1970s? And why did his campaign batter me when I asked him about these questions.

George Allen defends his support of the Iraq war by saying that our troops are defending the ideals America stands for. Indeed, he says our troops are defending our very freedom. What kind of country is it when a Senator's constituent is assaulted for asking difficult and uncomfortable questions? What freedoms do we have left? Maybe we need to bring the troops home so that they can fight for freedom at George Allen's campaign events. Demanding accountability should not be an offense worthy of assault.

I will be pressing charges against George Allen and his surrogates later today. George Allen, at any time, could have stopped the fray. All he had to do was say, "This is not how my campaign is run. Take your hands off that man." He could have ignored my questions. Instead he and his thugs chose violence. I spent four years in the Marine Corps. I'll be damned if I'll let my country be taken from me by thugs that are afraid of taking responsibility for themselves.

It just isn't the America I know and love. Somebody needs to take a stand against those that would bully and intimidate their fellow citizens. That stand begins right here, right now.

W. Michael Stark

[sendero]

1. Beautiful...

... sue the bastards!

[susu369]

2. Indeed!

:kick:

[Vinca]

3. Good for Mike Stark. Criminal court first. Civil court second.

He's got the best evidence ever and witnesses up the wazoo. That was a shameful spectacle to watch. I hope he wasn't seriously injured.

[democrank]

4. This is what it will take

average citizens standing up tthese abuses. Good for Mike Stark.

[gademocrat7]

5. I agree.

[calimary]

59. YESSSSSSSS! Hold. Them. Accountable!!!

ABSOLUTELY good for Mike Stark! He's a hero!

[peacebird]

6. k&r Good for him.

[BOSSHOG]

7. george, george, george, don't fuck with Marines

I wish teammate Stark the best of luck and hope he drags allen's sorry ass through the mud along way and then returns with the carcass.

[StClone]

52. George by any other name

Could be this stupid to jump a person for FUCKING asking a question. Take 'em down Stark, take down.

[No Exit]

8. Let a warrant issue for Allen's arrest.

[xchrom]

9. this is as it should be. k&r

[formercia]

10. Stand up to them

The GOP thugs are not invincible. Stand your ground and don't let them bait you into breaking the Law. When they break the Law, call them on it.

We are dealing with a large and very organized criminal gang that make the Mafia look like amateurs.

[SouthernBelle82]

11. Good!

It's about time the people take action against these thugs and that is exactly what they are.

[speedoo]

12. Yeah Mike!!

Way to go, man.

Right in their ugly chickenhawk faces, baby!!

[Bodineian]

57. Hello?

Let's not forget the assault arrest of the man who approached Cheney in a mall last week.

The arrest of those wearing the wrong t-shirts at Bush speeches?
Free speech zones?

Any ordinary citizen stands the chance of being arrested or roughed up for even the mildest of confrontations with pols. Especially with the arrogance exhibited by BushCo as a model for other overbearing behaviors by lesser bush wannabees.

[underpants]

13. VIDEO

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x1146

[Cha]

56. "At this point in time"! Yeah,

buddy! That's not how you treat constituents. A Marine And a law student! :patriot: :patriot:

[grizmaster]

14. kicked

[sarahlee]

15. More about Mike - Calling all wingnuts and more on this incident

in my journal:
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/sarahlee/31

Please note the suggested framing for this discussion.

Last night he was saying he would be on MSNBC today.

[Lyric]

16. Why isn't THIS the MSM headline?

That's what I'd like to know. I haven't seen more than a vague mention of it so far today. Everybody's focused on the Kerry statements, which are of very little importance compared to a direct assault by a Senator's campaign staff.

K&R--let's get this out there where the MSM can't avoid it any more.

[sarahlee]

21. Mike is a pro at this - if you ever listed to his radio calls

at his "Calling All Wingnuts" blog you know he never backs down and is used to sparring with these guys. And he is a pro at getting press. If you read the link I posted above you will see that by last night, he was lined up to be on MSNBC.

As I also noted in that link the suggested framing for contacting the media is:

"Hmm. So... a guy asks Senator Allen a question relating to those persistant "wife-beater" rumours. Allen responds by having the guy beaten up. Well, I guess that's one way to answer things!"

Linking violence against Mike to Allen's violence against women/his ex-wife is key.

[StraightDope]

31. Oh shit, that was the same guy?

He's the one with the Hannity sucks ass poster! I've heard him battle with Insannity on his radio show!

Go Mike! Fuck those GOP bastards!

[sarahlee]

35. Yes - the same Mike See my comment here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2919360&mesg_id=2919850

Screen shot of poster included.

[AspenRose]

29. Because the press is providing cover for Felix's sealed divorce records.

That's why. Oh and they're too busy beating up John Kerry, someone who is NOT running for office, to ask sensitive questions regarding Felix Allen, someone who IS running for office.

[Supersedeas]

50. Shhh, the Corp Media would rather talk about relevant voter info AFTER the election

[Jed Dilligan]

39. I think when charges are actually filed,

the MSM will pick it up.

[flying_wahini]

17. just amazing video,,,, can't believe Geo. Allen's thugs

looks like a lawsuit to me !

[femrap]

18. Assaulting a Marine and Law Student....

do Virginians really want this thug representing them in the Senate?

Vote Webb!

[Jed Dilligan]

40. The two types of people you absolutely do not

want to assault!

On top of thug, how dumb can a person get?

[insidious]

19. I'm impressed

by his ability to not retaliate. I'm not sure I could have taken that assault without severely hurting at least a couple of those thugs. That old man in particular would have been beaten to an inch of his life had he attempted to lay his nasty meat hooks on me. Talk about picking a fight with the wrong person. LOL.

[Coaster City]

22. Life in Bizarro World

I've had Faux on all morning and nothing but Kerry comments. Including an analyst that rather matter of fact tone claimed that Kerry's Purple Heart wounds were self inflicted. With all of the time devoted to it you would think they would play the comments before the statement in question. Finally at 10:15 they mentioned the Allen Goon Assault and apparently Allen is the victim. Wow!!!! I need to find a grown up station.

[Hulsey13]

23. Grrr.

As a former Marine, I watched the video clip and found my pulse racing and my blood pressure going up. I wanted to reach through the monitor and whoop a$$.

This is an excellent example of what is happening everyday out there. More and more people are finally realizing that their government IS accountable to them, and sending in goons to keep the public at bay is no longer going to work. These people are not 1940's union busters... they are elected officials that work for us.

[LibDemAlways]

20. The second most shameful part of this

assault is the media's reaction. The initial local tv coverage by a reporter at the scene stressed that Allen was ok. WTF? Where was the indigation that a citizen asking a question was roughed up in such a callous and brutal way? Where was the follow up interview with Stark after he was tossed out? There were more reporters at the scene. None of them did their job.

[jeff30997]

26. Allen was ok. ?

Gee ! I can't believe this !:grr:

[LibDemAlways]

28. Yep. He had a live feed back to

the studio and assured the bobble heads sitting at the desk that Allen was unhurt. Definitely tried to create the impression that Stark was some sort of maniac who was physically threatening Allen and needed to be subdued. Media whoring at its finest.

[Human Torch]

32. Yes, I heard the "Allen is OK" part and thought "WHAT????"

Someone asked him a question and he is OK. What a rugged guy.

:silly:

[Marnieworld]

37. But Allen did get hurt

His feelings got hurt because liddle widdle babyhead doesn't like it when mean men ask him questions that might make him look bad.
:eyes:

[sarahlee]

38. Allen's people overreacted because of their history with MIke

which is no excuse, but it is probably why the MSM is giving the Allen folks the "benefit of the doubt" and why they latch on to calling Mike a "protester."

[Blue_Tires]

24. k+r

Stark is making the Commonwealth proud

[Coaster City]

25. Allen should look into getting his staffers brown shirts

Allen needs to look into getting some brown shirts because it is hard to read the names on the badges of his staffers.

[Blue_Tires]

60. welcome to the site!!

[sarahlee]

27. A quick sampling of headlines

Just saw coverage on MSNBC

Backers of Sen. George Allen grab blogger at campaign event
Florida Times-Union, FL

Heckler Subdued at George Allen Event
CBS News, New York

Fight Breaks Out Between Protestor, Allen Supporters
WRIC, VA

Senator's backers slam student to ground after question
CNN

Senator George Allen's Staffers Rough Up Blogger
Towleroad, NY

Blogger Mike Stark Attacked By Allen Campaign Staff
News Hounds, CA

Macaca and Me
Radar Online, NY

[TankLV]

30. Brownshirts.

Don't anybody DARE say how these repukes are NOT just like the NAZI'S!

They are testing out how far they can go, and the NATIONAL repuke party is behind this, you can bet your ass it is!

To take a page out of our WAR CRIMINAL NAZI "furher's" spew -

We've got to stop them here and now before it spreads any further!

[LibDemAlways]

33. Look at the enablers in the media.

Allen was taking questions from reporters at the time. Where the hell were they after the guy was roughed up? Why didn't they immediately ask Allen, "What the hell is going on here? What's with the brown shirts?" Why didn't they follow Stark out and get his story?

Says a lot about how low the so-called free press has sunk when they'll watch a citizen get assaulted and not bother to follow up.

[bearfan454]

45. Fucking eh we do.

Fuck every one of those right wing nut job pieces of shit.

[sarahlee]

34. Mike was the one who asked Allen about the n__ word

Aug 25, 2006

STAUNTON - A man who identified himself as a law student confronted U.S. Sen. George Allen here today, demanding to know if the potential presidential candidate had ever used the n-word.

Mike Stark, in his early to mid-20s, also asked Allen, R-Va., why he had a Confederate flag and a noose in his office. The News Virginian confirmed that Stark is a first-year law student at the University of Virginia.

An Allen aide asked Stark to leave, while a staff person at the Holiday Inn in Staunton also told him to leave the premises.

The man paid $20 to attend a luncheon hosted by the Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce. The man stood with reporters waiting to interview Allen, then fired him questions.

“Is this an interview?” Allen asked. “I’ll be glad to talk to you afterwards.”

Allen aide David Nepp, stepped in and asked the man to leave.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149190197411

Mike's version of that story here

See the guy holding the "Hannity Sucks" sign? That's our Mike - right before he started law school



Mike's comments about it here:
http://www.callingallwingnuts.com/2006/08/09/parting-shot/


Mike is an Ordinary Hero

We all want to make a difference...and we all can--sometimes doing the most unlikely things. Once you get involved, there's no telling how you can affect the world. Case in point: Mike Stark.

In 2002 Stark, an ex-Marine, was "sitting at home, watching TV like everyone else." He wasn't an activist, but as America prepared for war with Iraq, he decided he had to do something. "I started calling local radio talk shows whenever I had the time," he recalls, "and sharing what I knew about the Iraq situation. I wanted people to be careful--I wanted to remind them that they shouldn't believe everything they heard." He made calls regularly, but didn't tell anyone about his "weird, geeky hobby"--he was too embarrassed. Over the next few years, he added national radio shows to his speed-dial, and did what most progressives only dream of: talked back, literally, to Rightwing radio hosts. Still, he had no idea he was doing anything that people might find impressive or inspiring. <.....>

Gradually Stark's web site, callingallwingnuts.com, became a destination for anyone interested in getting on right-wing call-in shows (Note: Beginning callers can find excellent how-to advice there)--and for the growing number of folks fascinated by his eccentric, homegrown activism. Stark became a hero of sorts. Who else has had the chance (or balls) to ask Newt Gingrich about his pretensions to morality...or ask Nancy Pelosi how she planned to support Lamont? "I love asking politicians questions that they don't want to answer," he says. "And that includes people on my side. <...> I'm just willing to confront people who are doing something I think is wrong. Of course, I know a lot of people are afraid of confrontation. But in this case, they've got it backwards...because it's the politicians who should be afraid of us. They're the people who, if they're not careful, will make complete asses out of themselves in their effort to keep their power."

Does activism like Stark's actually affect anything? Well, consider this: If the Dems take the Senate this year, Jim Webb will have to beat George Allen in Virginia. And if Webb beats Allen, it'll be partly because people exposed Allen's racism by asking him--directly--if he'd ever used the word "nigger." Who was the first person to go on record (and tape) doing that? Stark. <...>

Stark's activism does have a price, though. He's the father of a 14-month-old girl, and "Every time I make a decision on whether to go to Washington, or attend any political event, I'm taking time away from being with my daughter." So why does he do it? "I've had this discussion with my wife a lot," he explains. "These are pretty momentous times, and I think the people who are in charge of things right now are pretty close to just plain evil. We have a responsibility to our country and each other to get involved. I like to think that if I was in Germany in 1939, I'd be hiding Ann Frank in my attic instead of cowering along with everyone else."

[ChiciB1]

36. Goodie, Goodie, Goodie! Keep It Front & Center!

Way to go Michael Stark!!! I can't say I would have asked the question, but their reaction was WAAAAAAY over the top!!

I wonder if he will need financial help.... lawyers ain't cheap!

I'm pretty tapped right now, gave to Webb 2 times now and I live in FL... but I DO support this guy!!

[bearfan454]

41. Damn right.

These pieces of shit pukes are finished.

[bobbie]

42. Gotta register on Stark's blog and support him

He's a courageous man. And he's totally doing the right thing in immediately pressing charges. He's not hurting for evidence that's for sure...

[sarahlee]

43. Allen Campaign's response

Allen Campaign Press Release Concerning Incident

For Immediate Release:

October 31, 2006

Contact: Press Office 703.845.3689

Democrat Activist Verbally Attacks Allen

Allen Campaign Demands Webb Restrain Out of Control Supporter

ARLINGTON, VA - At the conclusion of a well attended event in Charlottesville, a Webb supporter wearing an Allen sticker aggressively went after Senator Allen, who was at an event with his wife Susan and Senator Elizabeth Dole, screaming that he answer inappropriate questions.

As the Senator was trying to exit the room with a campaign staffer, the Democrat activist, identified as Mike Stark, pushed the Allen staffer. Later, volunteers restrained him and asked to leave the building when he approached the Senator a second time, asking inappropriate questions.

This was not the first time that Stark, a frequent Daily Kos blogger, has aggressively confronted Senator Allen in front of TV cameras and been removed from the premises by event security. In August, Stark was asked to leave a Holiday Inn by management "after he became combative" while interrupting a press conference with Senator Allen. (Chris Graham, "Webb Supporter Asked to Leave Allen Event after N-Word Question," Augusta Free Press; August 25, 2006).

Stark has a history of violent outbursts on the Daily Kos, an extreme left-wing website, such as his post "The F*****g Way...Take These RNC F*****s Down". Daily Kos Link http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/12/02847/6131BY

He also posted his intention last night on his blog, Calling All Wingnuts, which is subtitled "Kickin' a*s on the lyin' side: A never-ending battle against stupid, ugly, deceitful and corrupt right-wing water carriers..." in which he wrote in reference to stalking Senator Allen,"So yeah... I miss doing this stuff - it seemed that at least once a month, something would happen that really got the adrenaline flowing... I miss those tasty morsels of victory." (http://www.callingallwingnuts.com/ ; Accessed October 31, 2006)

* # # # -

Paid for by Friends of George Allen

http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=5615452

[sarahlee]

44. Verbal Attack vs Physical Attack

I think one is more legal than the other....

[Kolesar]

54. Who is "the Allen staffer" in the second paragraph?

That is a poorly written release.

[redqueen]

46. Amen!

"Somebody needs to take a stand against those that would bully and intimidate their fellow citizens. That stand begins right here, right now."

:applause:

[Patiod]

47. It's like ice hoskey

When you're losing, that's when it get most violent!

[smoogatz]

48. Mike Stark rules.

Go get 'em, baby!

[SupplySideLiberal]

49. Go get him Mike

I lived in Virginia for thirty-four years. Please, Mike, do everyone a favor and take this arrogant bigot down.

[Blue Velvet]

51. "Maybe we need to bring the troops home so that they can fight for freedom at George Allen's...

campaign events."

My favorite line from this excellent letter. Go Mike! :yourock:

[sarahlee]

53. The Young Turks on Air America Has Hired Mike Stark

What this country needs are more journalists willing to ask tough questions. I know one such person - Mike Stark. Mike's questions are so tough, he gets tackled for them. Senator Allen's campaign staff assaulted Mike after he asked them perfectly relevant questions about the Senator's divorce and arrest records.

Senator Allen is a public official - and one who runs on family values. Mike Stark was asking for records that might or might not show whether the Senator lives up to his campaign talk. And I can't imagine a more relevant question than why a Senator won't reveal his arrest record. There are far more questions that the Allen campaign has to answer for, let alone every other campaign, and the entire Bush administration.

In light of the fact that Mike has shown an ability to ask questions others are not willing to ask, for the benefit and education of the public, I am proud to announce that "The Young Turks" on Air America Radio has hired Mike Stark to be a reporter for the show.

I've known Mike for awhile now. He is attending the University of Virginia law school and he is a United States Marine. Once a Marine, Always a Marine. Semper Fi means something to Mike Stark. George Allen ought to look it up (perhaps in his divorce records).

Mike is smart, tough, well educated, dedicated and obviously courageous. This country needs more reporters like Mike Stark. I am proud to be part of an organization that is going to give people like Mike an opportunity to ask more tough questions of our elected officials. The people have a right to know.

And we're not done. We plan to hire more reporters in the future to cover political events around the country for us. If the mainstream press won't ask the questions, then we will.

I only wish we had hired Mike earlier and he could have been in the room to ask the White House about the Downing Street Memos, Jeff Gannon, the weapons of mass destruction, etc., etc. So many questions needed to be asked and weren't. We hope to change that.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cenk-uygur/the-young-turks-on-air-am_b_33019.html

[Cha]

55. Now Macaca has several

monkeys on his back not just the one.

What a bunch fucking idiots, but I would like to thank them for being Idiots in front of the camera so the Planet can see what we already knew.

[wordpix]

65. "I would like to thank them for being Idiots in front of the camera"---well said

[cosmicdot]

58. there's a poll on the linked page, too

Who gets your vote for U.S. Senate?

George F. Allen (R) 814 18%
James H. ''Jim'' Webb, Jr. (D) 3455 80%
Glenda Gail Parker (I) 46 1%

[dogday]

61. I liked the way that poll looked

Wish it would stay that way.....

[ckimmy57]

62. I saw that clip

and my mouth dropped open, my eyes became HUGE :crazy: and I thought to myself....what the hell, are these people frigging STUPID? Oh, but of course they are.....they're REPUKES. Gee I must of had a brain fart there for a minute. SUE THE PANTS OFF OF THAT SLEEZY SLIME BALL AND HIS SKANKY HOOD BOYS.

[Danger Mouse]

63. Pseudo-Facist thugs like this...

need to be reminded that they are NOT above the law, contrary to what they may think. Good on you, Michael Stark, for having the balls to speak out and to bring these men to task for their CRIME of ASSAULT.

[wordpix]

64. Whoo, hoo! Mike Stark, a marine whose pen is mighty! I salute you, patriot

:patriot: :applause:

These f$$#!ing thug repukes are going to be so awash in lawsuits their fat wallets will be emptied. Plame-Wilson, ACLU, Libby and now Mike Stark. :applause:

[emald]

66. I stand with you

enough is enough. Push back friend. Push hard. War is starting. Real war. Not the GWBushit type of war. Yellow fuckers have had enough rope, now it's time to hang em. Hope your small part of the struggle against it goes well. Watch yourself.

[oc2002]

67. Good thing there is VIDEO PROOF of the attack, or Stark would be SOL.

they probably would of arrested him and thrown him in a cell till after the elections.

[sarahlee]

68. Mike writes: My side

Mike posted this today:

Anyway, I thought I'd share this remarkable link with you. It's remarkable in the sense that I'm not used to media providing uncut and unedited coverage like this. I've been miscast and characterized as a heckler, a protester - the verbiage of my questions has been widely mis-reported... I just think it's great that they've allowed this video to speak for itself. Channel 19, a CBS affiliate in Charlottesville, filmed me watching the video they had of the assault. Afterward, we discussed it. The only edit was a chop of a private phone call I received. It's 11 minutes long...

I've also written what I think is an important piece for the Huffington Post.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/11/2/132654/180